CHINA: Foreign ministry spokesperson calls Myanmar's election "smooth" and welcomes transition
Record ID:
1519034
CHINA: Foreign ministry spokesperson calls Myanmar's election "smooth" and welcomes transition
- Title: CHINA: Foreign ministry spokesperson calls Myanmar's election "smooth" and welcomes transition
- Date: 10th November 2010
- Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (NOVEMBER 9, 2010) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON HONG LEI ARRIVING AT REGULAR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS ATTENDING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON HONG LEI SAYING: "The general election was carried out in a stable and smooth way. This is a very important move to realise the seven-step roadmap and the transition to elected government, which should be welcomed and recognised." JOURNALISTS LISTENING AND TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON HONG LEI SAYING: "China values Sino-Japan relations and persists in developing in the direction of strategically reciprocal Sino-Japan relations. This is consistent with the fundamental interest of the two countries and their people. The two sides should move towards each other and work together to improve bilateral relations and develop friendly sentiment between the people of both countries. " JOURNALISTS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON HONG LEI SAYING: "China values India's position in international affairs, it understands and supports India's desire to play a more important role in the United Nations. We are willing to keep in touch and negotiate with other U.N. members, including India, on the reforms of U.N. and the U.N. Security Council." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 25th November 2010 00:10
- Keywords:
- Location: China, China
- Country: China
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA9SSHHT45VIY0Y0OMYX4U5XSON
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: China called Myanmar's elections stable and smooth on Tuesday (November 9) as Myanmar's pro-democracy parties conceded defeat and the biggest military-backed party said it had won up to 80 percent of seats that were up for grabs.
China, which has built up close political and business links with Myanmar, welcomed the elections, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei (pron: hong lay).
"The general election was carried out in a stable and smooth way. This is a very important move to realise the seven-step roadmap and the transition to elected government, which should be welcomed and recognised," he told a regular news briefing in Beijing.
Analysts say that China, which is building gas and oil pipelines from Myanmar, does not want to see clashes disrupting commerce or triggering a flood of refugees, and will be pressing all sides to avoid conflict.
Despite recent diplomatic spats with Japan, Hong said China valued relations with its biggest trading partner.
"China values Sino-Japan relations and persists in developing in the direction of strategically reciprocal Sino-Japan relations. This is consistent with the fundamental interest of the two countries and their people. The two sides should move towards each other and work together to improve bilateral relations and develop friendly sentiment between the people of both countries," Hong said.
Tokyo and Beijing have been in a bitter feud since Japan detained a Chinese fishing boat skipper whose trawler collided in September with two Japanese Coast Guard ships near uninhabited islands in the East China Sea that both sides claim.
China said it understands India's desire to gain a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, Hong said, following U.S. President Barack Obama's endorsement of the demand during his visit to India.
China is currently the only Asian member.
"China values India's position in international affairs, it understands and supports India's desire to play a more important role in the United Nations. We are willing to keep in touch and negotiate with other U.N. members, including India, on the reforms of U.N. and the U.N. Security Council," he said.
China and India have sensitive relations on a number of fronts, including disputed borders in the Himalayan mountains. China has recently stepped up its claims to the northeastern Indian border state of Arunachal Pradesh.
The U.S., Britain, France, Russia and China have held permanent seats on the Security Council since 1971, when the People's Republic of China took over the seat held by rival Taiwan.
Changing the makeup of the Security Council, however, could be a long and difficult process which may face resistance from other permanent members.
Other states with a potential interest in a Security Council seat include Germany and Brazil. An expanded Security Council could also potentially include an African state, such as South Africa, Egypt or Nigeria. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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